HDS communications reached out to our 2021 graduating students to hear from them in their own words about their experiences at HDS, the people who've helped and inspired them along their grad school journeys, and their plans for the future.
Memorable Moment
When thinking of my time at HDS when I was physically on campus, the first things that pop into my head could be called memorable, but they're not necessarily positive. Just like a moment of unique beauty or a spark of inspiration can be memorable, so too can strange or sad things. Most of my memories of campus are kind of lonely and isolated, a lot of it being due to my own social anxiety. In a way, I accepted my solitude and redirected my would-be social efforts to my courses. Among other things, I will remember the struggle and how I contributed to it, and how I don't want to live that way, and how I will do more to create better experiences in the future.
Favorite Class or Professor
I enjoyed taking classes both in HDS and other departments at Harvard, but one that stood out to me was Dr. Jordan's class on Foucault. I am thankful to have taken a course with him before his retirement. What I learned connected to interests of study I did not expect, in religion, philosophy, and language. And I have not stopped thinking about Foucault and his work since then.
Message of Thanks
I would like to thank my undergraduate professor, Dr. Jerome Soneson, who, without his support and guidance, I might not have ended up studying at HDS.
Besides gratitude for my family, boyfriend, best friend, and professors, I would also like to thank myself. Outside of strictly academics, things were not easy these past years, and, throughout my many struggles, I pushed ahead with the same dedication I have cultivated since undergrad. It's been difficult, but I have reached the not an end, but a forward movement.
Future Plans
Rejuvination. I went straight from undergrad to HDS, and giving it my all these years of study have, unfortunately left me burnt out and less passionate and motivated than I used to be. I plan to take a gap year, and then potentially hope to study abroad in Ireland at Queen's University Belfast for a one-year MA in poetry. But who knows. There will be much questioning, planning, organizing, reflecting, and sitting outside.